Tuscaloosa, Ala., to Offer VINE Victim Notification Service

Tuscaloosa County, Ala., has become one of the first local governments to offer around-the-clock access to custody status of inmates in the state of Alabama. That's because the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office to implement the notification service -- VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) system from Appriss.

Through VINE, crime victims and other concerned citizens will be able to keep track of an offender's custody status by calling a toll-free number or by logging on to the Web. Citizens can also register to be notified when that offender is released, transferred or escapes. The Appriss Communications Center relays information from jail and prison booking systems to registered users when there is a change in an offender's custody status.

"By offering VINE, I believe we're making Tuscaloosa County a safer place to live and work," said Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ted Sexton. "I'm proud that we are the first community in Alabama to provide this life-saving service, and I believe we're leading the way for the rest of the state."

The inclusion of Tuscaloosa County in Alabama now raises the total number of states using VINE to 40. VINE is available in more than 1,500 communities, including 20 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas.